Keith McLoughlin new Chief Operations Officer Major Appliances
Keith McLoughlin was appointed Chief Operations Officer Major Appliances in July 2009. Keith McLoughlin is responsible for a new global organization for R&D, purchasing and manufacturing with the objective of taking full advantage of the Group’s global reach and economies of scale. Keith McLoughlin is a member of Group Management and reports to the President and CEO Hans Stråberg. Previously, Keith McLoughlin was head of Electrolux Major Appliances North America.
Kevin Scott new head of Major Appliances North America
Kevin Scott was appointed new head of Major Appliances North America in July 2009. He succeeded Keith McLoughlin, who has a new appointment as head of global operations for major appliances, see above. Kevin Scott is a member of Group Management and reports to the President and CEO Hans Stråberg. Previously, Kevin Scott held various management positions within Electrolux Major Appliances North America. Prior to joining Electrolux, Mr Scott held senior positions with DuPont and Pepsi.
Alberto Zanata new head of Professional Products
Alberto Zanata was appointed new head of Electrolux Professional Products in June 2009. He succeeded Dr. Detlef Münchow, who has left the Group. Alberto Zanata is a member of Group Management and reports to the President and CEO Hans Stråberg. Previously, Mr Zanata has held various management positions within Electrolux operations for professional products.
Asbestos litigation in the US
Litigation and claims related to asbestos are pending against the Group in the US. Almost all of the cases refer to externally supplied components used in industrial products manufactured by discontinued operations prior to the early 1970s. Some of the cases involve multiple plaintiffs who have made identical allegations against many other defendants who are not part of the Electrolux Group.
As of December 31, 2009, the Group had a total of 2,818 (2,639) cases pending, representing approximately 3,120 (approximately 3,200) plaintiffs. During 2009, 760 new cases with approximately 760 plaintiffs were filed and 581 pending cases with approximately 850 plaintiffs were resolved. Approximately 40 of the plaintiffs relate to cases pending in the state of Mississippi.
The Group reached an agreement in 2007 with many of the insurance carriers that issued general liability insurance to certain predecessors of the Group who manufactured industrial products, some of which are alleged to have contained asbestos. Under this agreement the insurance carriers have agreed to reimburse the Group for a portion of the past and future costs incurred in connection with asbestos-related lawsuits for such products. The term of the agreement is indefinite but subject to termination upon 60 days notice. If terminated, all parties would be restored to all of their rights and obligations under the affected insurance policies.
Additional lawsuits may be filed against Electrolux in the future. It is not possible to predict either the number of future claims or the number of plaintiffs that any future claims may represent. In addition, the outcome of asbestos claims is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict and Electrolux cannot provide any assurances that the resolution of these types of claims will not have a material adverse effect on its business or on results of operations in the future.
Environmental activities
In 2009, Electrolux operated 51 manufacturing facilities in 17 countries. Manufacturing comprises mainly assembly of components made by suppliers. Other processes include metalworking, molding of plastics, painting and enameling.
Chemicals such as lubricants and cleaning fluids are used as process aids. Chemicals used in Group products include insulation materials, paint and enamel. Production processes generate an environmental impact in the form of water and airborne emissions, solid waste and noise.
Studies of the total environmental impact of the Group’s products during their entire lifetime, i.e., from production and use to recycling, indicate that the greatest environmental impact is generated when the products are used. The Electrolux strategy is to develop and actively promote increased sales of products with lower environmental impact.
Mandatory permits and notification in Sweden and elsewhere
Electrolux operates four plants in Sweden. Permits are required by authorities for all of these plants, which account for approximately 3% of the total value of the Group’s production. Three of these plants are required to submit notification. The permits cover, e.g., thresholds or maximum permissible values for air and waterborne emissions and noise. No significant non-compliance with Swedish environmental legislation was reported in 2009.
Manufacturing units in other countries adjust their operations, apply for necessary permits and report to the authorities in accordance with local legislation. The Group follows a precautionary principle with reference to both acquisitions of new plants and continuous operations. Potential non-compliance, disputes or items that pose a material financial risk are reported to Group level in accordance with Group policy. No such significant item was reported in 2009.
Electrolux products are affected by legislation in various markets, principally involving energy consumption, producer responsibility for recycling, and restriction and management of hazardous substances. Electrolux continuously monitors changes in legislation, and both product development and manufacturing are adjusted to reflect these changes.